A few weeks ago, it was announced that United Airlines would return to New York’s JFK Airport in October 2015 after suspending operations. Now we have more details about what to expect, as the routes have been announced before.
United Airlines is resuming JFK flights
United Airlines will resume flights outside New York JFK on February 1, 2021, as the airline plans to serve both Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). These are the same main mailline routes that are operated by the airport when exiting the airport.
United, will move from JFK to both LAAX and SFO
United Airlines will initially operate two daily roundtrip flights on each route – one in the morning at one o’clock, and one in the afternoon / evening in each direction, no redways.
These flights are already worth booking, and interestingly, United have not yet at least reduced their schedule from the EWR.
LALX route from UK’s new JFK
United operates the following New York to Los Angeles frequencies:
The UA515 will depart New York for Los Angeles at 9:30 a.m. and 12:12 p.m.
UA 1717 will depart New York for Los Angeles at 7:00 a.m. Present at 10:10 a.m.
UA514 departs Los Angeles New York at 7:30 AM and arrives at 3:50 AM
The UA1616 will depart Los Angeles New York at 2:30 p.m. and arrive at 10:50 p.m.
United will fly twice daily between JFK and LAX
SFO route from United’s new JFK
United operates the following New York to San Francisco frequencies:
UA521 departs New York for San Francisco 8:00 AM arrives at 11:37 AM
UA 2323 departs New York for San Francisco arrives at 5:10 a.m. to 8:47 p.m.
The UA520 will leave San Francisco for New York at 9:10 a.m. and arrive at 5:40 p.m.
UA 522 will depart San Francisco for New York at 1:30 p.m.
The joint will fly twice daily between JFK and SFO
United will use the premium 767-300 for JFK flights
United Airlines will exclusively use its premium Boeing 767-300s for Jeff flights. These aircraft are in premium heavy configuration, with only 167 seats, as follows:
- 46 Polar Business Class seats
- 22 premium plus premium economy seats
- 47 Economy plus extra legroom economy seats
- 52 economy class seats
See here for a review of the United 767-300 that will be used for these routes.
United’s 767-300 Polaris business class
United JFK will fly out of Terminal 7
United will operate outside JFK’s Terminal 7, which was the same terminal that was to fly backwards that day. However, the old United Club in the terminal has since been relocated to the Alaska Lounge. The only other lounge in the terminal is the British Airways Lounge.
I’m excited to see what kind of lounge access United is able to offer customers, but I can’t see any of these airlines offering special cooperation with United (participating in the markets with Alaska United, and a joint venture with British Airways). Is. American).
The Alaska Lounge is on the site of the former United Club JFK
United prices are aggressive
As you might expect, United will enter these markets with some excellent prices. Economy-110 starts with one, while business class one 469 starts with one.
I can’t help but feel that United still can’t really find premium economy prices, as it’s only $ 50 cheaper than business class. Maybe that’s the subject for another post, but usually the U.S. Airlines, in my opinion, have not really got the right price (in both cash and points) for the premium economy.
United’s 767-300 premium plus premium economy
Advantages and disadvantages of United in JFK
The way I see it, United Airlines has a significant advantage and a lot of disadvantages with its return to JFK.
On the plus side, United’s boardboard production is exceptional. Getting new Polaris seats on flights between JFK and the West Coast would be great for customers, and United also offers the only true coastline premium economy product.
United’s 767-300 business class
United’s 767-300 business class is significantly better than the American A321T business class.
American A321T Business Class
But then there are the many disadvantages that United have:
- United operates this route twice a day, while historically operates a dozen frequencies daily in the American market.
- I’m not sure what the condition of United’s lounge will be, but it will not be competitive with what American has to offer
- United will have to fight hard to win the corporate business, as most of them have probably turned American and Delta in recent years.
Then again, perhaps the epidemic is one of the best times to resume service on JFK, as some of the benefits of American currently do not exist – the airline only flies twice a day, and its flagship lounge is closed.
Bottom line
It’s really happening – United Airlines will return to JFK on February 1, 2021, with four daily transcontinental flights. United will use the premium 767-300 Seno for the route, which is an excellent onboard product.
I’m excited to see how much success United has in JFK, as airlines have some disadvantages, but the epidemic reduces the impact of some of them.
United have been trying to convince flyers for years that JWR is as convenient as JFK, and I believe that message has never really been received.
Do you think United will succeed in JFK? How much growth do you expect?
